Podcasts about Advanced maternal age

Join Dr. Laurice Bou Nemer from IVF Florida along with hosts Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center, and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center for a crucial topic: how age impacts fertility. As women age, both the number and quality of eggs decline, especially after 35. By 40, fertility is significantly reduced, and after 45, natural conception is rare. The doctors break down what happens to egg quality with age, including how older eggs are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities, increasing the risk of miscarriage or genetic issues. They also tackle the common myth that healthy living can override the biological clock and shed light on the misleading narratives around celebrity pregnancies. This honest conversation is essential listening for anyone considering their fertility future—don't miss it!This episode was brought to you from ReceptivaDx and IVF Florida.

In this episode of SHE MD, hosts Mary Alice Haney and Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi welcome Whitney Port Rosenman, a television personality, fashion designer, and podcast host, to share her fertility journey. Whitney opens up about her struggles with multiple miscarriages and her pursuit of surrogacy. Dr. Aliabadi tackles a comprehensive breakdown of fertility factors, including autoimmune disorders, PCOS, and endometriosis. The conversation touches on the importance of being your own health advocate, intuitive eating, and seeking second opinions. Whitney also shares her emotional journey and her hope for future pregnancies. Dr. Aliabadi provides expert insights on fertility issues and potential treatments.Access more information about the podcast and additional expert health tips by visiting SHE MD Podcast and Ovii. Sponsors: Myriad: Learn more at GetMyRisk.comSaks.com: Shop Saks.coCymbiotika: Go to Cymbiotikia.com/SHEMD for 20% off your order + free shipping today.MidiHealth: You deserve to feel great. Book your virtual visit today at JoinMidi.comRitual: Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at ritual.com/SHEMDProlon: Visit ProlonLife.com/SHEMD to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift.Netflix: Watch Pulse. April 3rd. Only on Netflix WHITNEY PORT ROSENMAN'S KEY TAKEAWAYS:Investigate Autoimmune Issues: Multiple miscarriages with heartbeats may indicate an underlying autoimmune issue, even if standard tests are negative.Learn more about Fertility Testing: Understand the importance of comprehensive fertility testing to learn more about miscarriage symptoms: Screen for conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and adenomyosis.Explore Blood Thinners: Blood thinners like Lovenox can be crucial for patients to potentially stop miscarriage with recurrent pregnancy loss, especially after seeing a heartbeat.Navigate the Surrogate Selection Process: When choosing a surrogate, it's essential to consider factors such as age, previous pregnancy outcomes, and detailed medical history.Be Proactive in Fertility Care: Patients should be proactive in their fertility journey, asking questions and seeking second opinions when necessary. Don't accept "unexplained infertility" - keep investigating potential causesIN THIS EPISODE: (00:00) Intro(06:42) Intuitive eating and body image struggles(09:37) Whitney shares her fertility issues and miscarriages(11:30) Defining IVF embryos (18:02) Exploring surrogacy after multiple pregnancy losses(23:33) Dr. Aliabadi explains fertility testing buckets(31:32) Importance of blood thinners in recurrent miscarriages(39:50) How autoimmune disorders may be a factor in miscarriages(41:00) Advice on choosing surrogate mothers(46:23) Closing thoughts and skincare tipsRESOURCES:Whitney's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyeveport/The High Confectionery: https://www.thehighconfectionary.com/GUEST BIOGRAPHY:Whitney Port Rosenman is a Creative Director and Designer, with roots in Los Angeles where she currently resides with her husband and seven-year-old son. Widely recognized as an alumna of MTV's iconic reality show “The Hills” and “The City”, Whitney has since built a prolific career in fashion and design. In 2024, Whitney took on the role of Creative Director for The High Confectionary, a brand that specializes in low-dose gummies and aims to change the way people consume edibles.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the RWS Clinician's Corner, we are revisiting a powerful conversation with Dr. Aumatma Simmons, a renowned holistic fertility expert who is making waves with her groundbreaking approach to natural and holistic fertility. In this episode, we uncover the key areas essential for supporting clients on their journey to conception, while also debunking pervasive myths about fertility, especially concerning advanced maternal age. Dr. Aumatma shares her personal journey that led her to specialize in fertility, providing valuable insights into her unique model of care. With a focus on discovering root causes, targeted detoxification, rebalancing, and receiving, her approach is both comprehensive and compassionate.   In this interview, we discuss:     Dr. Aumatma's four-step process: Discover, Detox, Rebalance, Receive and the importance of root-cause analysis    The difference between general detox and fertility-specific detox and targeted therapies for rebalancing health issues    The importance of the mind-body connection and stress management when trying to conceive    The misconception about fertility decline at age 35, along with client case studies     Key challenges and missteps in fertility treatment    Emotional and psychological aspects of fertility - and practical steps that practitioners can take to support clients in this area The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by Restorative Wellness Solutions.  Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/restorativewellnesssolutions/   Connect with Dr. Aumatma Simmons: Website: www.holisticfertilityinstitute.com Instagram/Tik Tok: @holisticfertilitydoctor Dr. Aumatma is offering a special discount for any RWS practitioner that wants to get on the waitlist for her F.E.M Training, which will empower clinicians to better serve clients in the much-needed area of fertility. Use coupon code rwsalumni for $1,000 off. They will honor the $1,000 off for the payment plan and funding options.   Timestamps:  00:00 Finding My Niche: Fertility Journey 08:09 "Personal Struggles as Client Connection" 11:16 Fertility-Focused Detox Strategies 19:04 "Discover Phase as Strategic Foundation" 25:03 Navigating Sensitive Relationship Boundaries 27:26 Unchanging Patterns and Stress Responses 34:36 Clinical Skills for Complex Health 39:50 Effective Egg Quality Solutions 43:24 Hormone Reset with Lalor Protocol 50:11 Defining Boundaries in Client Support 54:13 Comprehensive Fertility Health Overview 01:01:25 Candy-Loving Health Paradox 01:05:30 "Join Clinician's Corner Podcast"   Speaker bio: Dr. Aumatma is a double board-certified Naturopathic Endocrinologist, in practice for close to 20 years. Dr. Aumatma founded the Holistic Fertility Institute to support badass power couples to create the family of their dreams and to train doctors who want to specialize in fertility. She is the best-selling author of Fertility Secrets: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About Baby-Making and the host of award-winning podcast Egg Meets Sperm.    She is on a mission to help bring healthier babies into the world by creating healthier parents and a healthier planet. To expand that mission, Dr. Aumatma co-founded Madre Fertility, a smart fertility analysis that individualizes people's fertility journey through diet, lifestyle, and supplements, based on key data. Dr. Aumatma has been featured on ABC, FOX, CBS, KTLA, MindBodyGreen, and The Bump as the Holistic Fertility Expert.   Keywords: Restorative Wellness, functional health professionals, holistic fertility expert, naturopathic doctor, fertility secrets, women's health, advanced maternal age, root cause, fertility journey, discover phase, detox phase, rebalance phase, receive phase, uterine blood flow, low level laser therapy, egg quality, implantation, partner health, homeopathy, stress management, Chinese medicine, acupuncture meridians, nutrient deficiencies, Vitamin C, thyroid health, basal body temperature, sperm quality, nutrition panel, hormone reset, practitioner training program Disclaimer: The views expressed in the RWS Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Restorative Wellness Solutions, LLC. Restorative Wellness Solutions, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the RWS Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the RWS Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Restorative Wellness Solutions, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the RWS Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold Restorative Wellness Solutions, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.  

Podcast Show NotesEpisode Title: Your Baby, Your Way: Medical Freedom, Unassisted Birth, and More with Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D.Episode Overview:Join your host Sophia as she sits down with Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D., award-winning science journalist, author, and advocate for medical freedom and safe vaccination practices. In this episode, Jennifer shares her experiences as a mother of four, navigating hospital, midwife-assisted, and unassisted births, and discusses the importance of parental intuition, making informed decisions, and creating a vaccine-friendly birth plan.Jennifer's work as a writer and educator has taken her across the globe, championing the rights of women, children, and families while shedding light on the hard truths about for-profit medicine. Together, they dive into topics like wild pregnancy, advanced maternal age, Stokholm syndrome in medicine, and midwife interventions, offering listeners tools and insights to reclaim autonomy in pregnancy and parenting.Key Topics Discussed: 1. Your Baby, Your Way • The inspiration behind Jennifer's book and how it empowers parents to take charge of their pregnancy, birth, and parenting decisions. 2. Navigating Birth Choices • Jennifer's personal experiences with hospital birth, midwife-assisted birth, and her powerful journey to an unassisted birth. 3. Medical Freedom and Safe Vaccination • Insights into the importance of informed decision-making and advocating for personal medical choices for your family. 4. Parenting Intuition and Fear • How to trust your instincts during pregnancy and overcome fear-based decision-making. 5. Wild Pregnancy and Unassisted Birth • Exploring the concept of wild pregnancy and taking radical responsibility for your birth experience. 6. Advanced Maternal Age and Birth Planning • How to navigate societal pressures and medical interventions as an older parent. 7. Sitting on Hands and Minimal Interventions • Jennifer's thoughts on when intervention is necessary and when less is more. 8. Hard Truths About For-Profit Medicine • An honest look at how the medical industry impacts women's health and autonomy.About Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D.:Jennifer Margulis is an award-winning science journalist, author, and advocate for medical freedom and safe vaccination practices. She is the author of the book Your Baby, Your Way: Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Parenting Decisions for a Happier, Healthier Family. A mother of four, Jennifer has firsthand experience with various birth settings, including hospital, midwife-assisted, and unassisted birth.Jennifer's international work includes: • Advocating for child survival campaigns in Niger, West Africa. • Championing the rights of child slaves on live television in Paris. • Teaching non-traditional students in Atlanta. • Promoting medical freedom and education in Copenhagen.Her work empowers parents to trust their instincts, make informed decisions, and embrace autonomy in pregnancy and parenting.Connect with Jennifer Margulis: • Website: www.JenniferMargulis.net • Substack: Jennifer Margulis on Substack • Facebook: Personal | Your Baby, Your Way Book • X: @JenniferMarguli • LinkedIn: Jennifer Margulis on LinkedInListen to the Episode: • Podcast Link: Spotify • Instagram: @sophiabirth, @bayareahomebirth, @bornwildmidwifery • Facebook: Podcast LinkFinal Thoughts:Jennifer Margulis's work is a call to action for parents to reclaim their autonomy, challenge societal norms, and trust their instincts. Her experience and advocacy bring fresh, empowering perspectives to the topics of pregnancy, birth, and parenting.Stay Wild

Hugo and Spencer live with their loving parents, Michelle and Jono, and are surrounded by extended family, including their grandmother Jasmina and their Auntie Sophie. But how Hugo and Spencer came to be in the world is a very unique and unusual story: their grandmother Jasmina and their aunt Sophie were actually - also - their surrogate mothers. Why did Jasmina decide to be a surrogate for her daughter…at 52 years old? And how did her pregnancy go? How did she feel about the baby? How does it work now? What will they tell the boys when they're older? And - how did this decision come about to begin with? This is a story about the great love that can emerge from great loss, and of great sacrifice and generosity, of motherhood and grandmotherhood - really, this is a love story like no other we've heard before. You can find Michelle on Instagram here & Jasmina on Instagram here.  THE END BITS: Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here. Discover more Mamamia podcasts here.Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.auShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP.Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.   CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culturesBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a Text Message.In this egg-citing episode of "Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday," Dr. Mark Amols cracks open the secrets of assisted hatching in IVF. Ever wonder why some embryos need a little extra help to hatch and implant? Dr. Amols breaks it all down, explaining what assisted hatching is, how it works, and when it might be just the thing to boost your chances of success.You'll learn about the different hatching techniques—mechanical, chemical, and laser—and why laser hatching often steals the spotlight. Dr. Amols also dives into the key reasons this technique is recommended, particularly for women of advanced maternal age, those with repeated IVF failures, and cases involving frozen embryos.But it's not all smooth sailing—assisted hatching comes with its own set of risks, including a slight increase in identical twinning and added costs. Tune in to find out why assisted hatching isn't for everyone, and how it can be a game-changer for the right patients.Whether you're navigating your own fertility journey or just curious about the latest IVF advancements, this episode is sure to be a shell of a good time. Subscribe, share, and leave us a five-star review if you've enjoyed this egg-ucational discussion!Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Hello! I would love to hear what your fave part of the ep was. Send me a msg by clicking here :)Episode 48 is shared by Australian 'Salina', who shares her 2 homebirth stories from Banff, Canada.She also shares the multiple reasons why she chose midwifery care, how she came to choosing homebirth late in her first pregnancy and the benefits of doula care. And all these whilst being labelled by the system as geriatric! These are 2 beautiful stories showing the power of having truly informed pregnancy care. Connect with me, Elsie, the host :)www.birthingathome.com.au@birthingathome_apodcastbirthingathome.apodcast@gmail.comResources: PCOS and pregnancy https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/pcos/fertility-and-pregnancy'Advanced Maternal Age' and 'Geriatric' pregnancy https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/induction-for-advanced-maternal-age/Freya App https://thepositivebirthcompany.com/freya-hypnobirthing-appDr Rachel Reed's Website https://www.rachelreed.website/Hypnobirthing Australia https://hypnobirthingaustralia.com.au/Support the Show.

In this episode, host Desiree Nathanson talks with Evi Wommack about her beginner and advanced pregnancies.

#462: Today we are joined by WeNatal founders Ronit Menashe and Vida Delrahim. After both struggling with miscarriages, Ronit and Vida discovered a gap in the prenatal supplement market—no one was addressing male fertility! So together, they set out to change that. They share their personal journeys that led to the creation of the WeNatal supplement brand and reveal the overlooked role of male fertility in pregnancy losses. We discuss the importance of both partners in the fertility equation, sperm metagenesis, key nutrients and components of a quality prenatal supplement, the value of preconception care, and the significance of third-party testing. Plus, find out the word we need to eliminate from our fertility vocabulary! This episode is packed with practical tips and resources for couples navigating the complex path to parenthood. Follow WeNatal on Instagram HERE For the free Couples Guide to Conception with 9 lifestyle choices you can make to improve your odds of healthy pregnancy, click HERE Use my link HERE to receive a FREE month of the WeNatal Omega DHA+ Fish Oil ($35 value) with purchase of any subscription order   Follow Liz on Instagram HERE Order IdealAge Daily Aminos + HERE For exclusive content, giveaway and discounts, subscribe to Liz's newsletter HERE Follow Liz on Instagram HERE  

Empowered Pregnancy Podcast: Don't Let Age Scare You Mama!This episode tackles the often-feared label of "Advanced Maternal Age" (AMA). I'm here to challenge the fear-mongering surrounding pregnancy over 35 and empower moms to focus on overall wellness and building a positive support system.Here's what I get into:Why the term "AMA" might be more harmful than helpful.How age is just one piece of the pregnancy puzzle.The importance of healthy habits.Understanding risk statistics: absolute vs. relative risk.The link between C-sections and AMA labels.Why induction rates might be unnecessary for older moms.The benefits of a midwife-led care model for AMA pregnancies.Building a supportive community to navigate pregnancy and motherhood.Ready to ditch the fear and embrace an empowered pregnancy? Join me and take charge of your journey!*Trigger warning- mention of stillbirth, infant death and maternal deathMore questions about Advanced Maternal Age (AMA) or "Geriatric pregnancy?" DM me over on IG @empoweredbirthcoaching I'd love to hear from you!Are you ready to take charge of your pregnancy and make your dream birth a reality? I'm your coach! Get my weekly newsletter and take advantage of free resources and birth prep tips.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of "Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday," Dr. Mark Amols dives into the complex and often misunderstood topic of getting pregnant at age 45 and beyond. With increasing portrayals of older women achieving pregnancy in the media and anecdotal success stories from friends and celebrities, many women over 45 wonder if they too can conceive naturally or through fertility treatments.Dr. Amols explores the harsh realities and statistical challenges faced by women in this age group, shedding light on why natural conception rates drop significantly and the limited success of IVF using their own eggs. He discusses the ethical dilemmas fertility doctors encounter, such as the inability to disclose when a patient's friend has used donor eggs, and the emotional toll on women who are misled by these misconceptions.Listeners will gain a clear understanding of the probability and limitations of achieving pregnancy at an advanced maternal age, the role of donor eggs, and why multiple IVF cycles may be necessary but often unrealistic. Dr. Amols also addresses the importance of setting realistic expectations and the potential benefits of considering donor eggs for women over 45.Tune in for an honest and insightful discussion aimed at demystifying the myths and presenting the scientific truths about pregnancy after 45. Whether you're considering fertility options at an older age or know someone who is, this episode offers valuable information and compassionate advice.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a Text Message.Welcome to another insightful episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols. This week, we're exploring the '3 Strikes and You're Out' strategy in fertility treatments. Why do doctors suggest transitioning to IVF after three IUI cycles? Dr. Amols breaks down the data behind this recommendation and discusses various scenarios where IUI might be beneficial or when it might be best to skip straight to IVF.Dr. Amols explains how mild endometriosis, younger patients with a shorter duration of infertility, and unexplained infertility can be reasons to consider IUI initially. He also covers why moderate to severe endometriosis, advanced maternal age, and long-term infertility might lead to opting for IVF right away. The episode dives into the success rates of IUI, highlighting the diminishing returns after three cycles, and the importance of individualized treatment plans based on unique patient circumstances.Listeners will learn about the factors influencing the decision to stop IUI and move on to IVF, including poor sperm quality, poor ovarian response, and the emotional and financial toll of multiple IUI cycles. Dr. Amols emphasizes the importance of consulting with a fertility specialist to tailor the treatment plan to each patient's specific needs.Whether you're just starting your fertility journey or considering your next steps after several IUI attempts, this episode is packed with valuable information to guide you. Join us for a deep dive into making the right choice for your fertility treatment plan, understanding the reasoning behind the '3 Strikes and You're Out' rule, and exploring the options available to you.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Barb lost her first pregnancy at 24 weeks due to him having a rare heart condition. This heart condition led to a life-saving surgery for other babies who also had this condition. Barb then lost her 13 year old daughter due to an undiagnosed brain tumor. After her losses, she went through IVF and gave birth to her final child at age 57. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/findinghopeafterloss/support

This week, Gina and Roxanne sit down with ObGyn, Dr. Sterling, to discuss what it REALLY means to be advanced maternal age. What are the qualifications, what are the risks, and what are the often unsung benefits of giving birth past the age of 35? Equally importantly, the ladies discuss how you can navigate these conversations with your provider, and what you should be wary of when consuming social media content during pregnancy. Dr. Christine Noa Sterling is a board-certified ObGyn, mom-of-three and founder of Sterling Parents (https://sterlingparents.com/), a membership that acts as one-stop-shop to get your pregnancy questions answered, prepare for postpartum, birth, breastfeeding and taking care of your baby, all while centering your own wellness and cultivating your unique parenting style. Find Dr. Sterling on Instagram and TikTok @DrSterlingObGyn Link to her FREE Advanced Maternal Age class - thebestpregnancyclass.com ----- Pre-Order Training for Two on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VOTdwH In This Episode: 00:00 Welcome to the MamasteFit Podcast: Empowering Your Perinatal Journey 01:08 Introducing Dr. Sterling: A Deep Dive into Advanced Maternal Age 03:17 Understanding Advanced Maternal Age: Risks, Definitions, and Personal Experiences 09:47 Navigating Pregnancy Risks and Healthcare: A Personal Story 20:01 The Importance of Trust and Communication with Healthcare Providers 24:42 Addressing the Healthcare System: Challenges and Personal Advocacy 28:15 Exploring the Challenges of Home Births and Insurance 29:19 The Realities of Epidural and Birth Experiences 29:52 The Struggles of Healthcare Providers and Systemic Issues 31:05 Addressing Malpractice and Patient-Provider Communication 32:48 The Impact of Burnout on Healthcare Providers 33:43 Exploring Solutions and Innovations in Prenatal Care 35:25 The Journey of Becoming a Midwife and Navigating the System 36:59 Advanced Maternal Age: Risks, IVF, and Induction Decisions 44:41 Navigating Healthcare: Asking Questions and Building Trust 48:46 The Role of Content Creators in Shaping Perceptions of Healthcare 51:38 Introducing Dr. Sterling's Educational Resources and Courses —— This podcast is sponsored by Needed, a nutrition company focused on optimal nourishment for your perinatal journey. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code MAMASTEPOD for 20% off your first order or three months of subscription.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ****Freebies***** Early postpartum recovery course:  https://mamastefit.com/freebies/early-postpartum-recovery-guide/  Pp sample  https://mamastefit.com/freebies/postpartum-fitness-guide/ Prenatal Sample:  https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prenatal-fitness-program-guide/ Pelvic Floor  https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-your-pelvic-floor-for-labor/ Birth Prep for Labor Guide  https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-for-labor-guide/ Birth Partner Guide  https://mamastefit.com/freebies/birth-partner-guide/ Birth Plan  https://mamastefit.com/freebies/birth-plan-guide/

It can be difficult to find VBAC support with gestational diabetes and most who are supportive of VBAC highly recommend a 39-week induction. Heidi's first pregnancy/birth included gestational diabetes with daily insulin injections, a 39-week induction, Penicillin during labor for GBS, pushing for five hours, and a C-section for arrest of descent due to OP presentation. Heidi wasn't sure if she wanted to go through another birth after her first traumatic experience, but she found a very supportive practice that made her feel safe to go for it again. Though many practices would have risked her out of going for a VBAC due to her age and subsequent gestational diabetes diagnosis, her new practice was so reassuring, calm, and supportive of how Heidi wanted to birth. Heidi knew she wanted to go into spontaneous labor and try for an unmedicated VBAC. With the safety and support of her team, she was able to do just that. At just over 40 weeks, Heidi went into labor spontaneously and labored beautifully. Instead of pushing for over five hours, Heidi only pushed for 30 minutes! It was exactly the dreamy birth she hoped it would be. ThrombocytopeniaReal Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily NicholsInformed Pregnancy Plus Needed WebsiteHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details 05:50 Review of the Week08:04 Heidi's first pregnancy with gestational diabetes12:05 Taking insulin18:08 39-week induction 20:59 Pushing 24:29 Arrest of descent and opting for a C-section27:06 Researching providers before second pregnancy38:04 Discussions around induction41:45 NSTs twice a week47:10 Testing for preeclampsia54:53 Spontaneous labor57:43 Going to the hospital1:02:03 Laboring in the tub1:06:22 Pushing for 30 minutesMeagan: Hello, Women of Strength. It is Meagan and we have a friend from New Hampshire. Her name is Heidi. Hello, how are you? Heidi: I'm doing great. How are you?Meagan: I am so great. I'm excited to record this story today because there are so many times in The VBAC Link Community on Facebook where we see people commenting about gestational diabetes and for a really long time on the podcast, we didn't have any stories about gestational diabetes. Just recently, this year really, we've had some gestational diabetes stories. I just love it because I think a lot of the time in the system, there is doubt placed with the ability to give birth with gestational diabetes or there is the whole will induce or won't induce type thing, and with gestational diabetes, you have to have a baby by 39 weeks if they won't induce you and it just goes. So I love hearing these stories and Heidi's story today– she actually had gestational diabetes with both so with her C-section and with her VBAC. It was controlled. It was amazing. That's another thing that I love hearing is that it is possible to control. We love Lily Nichols and the book about gestational diabetes and pregnancy. We will make sure to have it in the link, but it is so good to know that it doesn't have to be a big, overwhelming thing. It can be controlled and it doesn't have to be too crazy. Right? Did you find that along the way? Heidi: Yes. Yes, definitely. The first one was pretty scary, but then the second one, you know what you are doing and you can control it and you can keep advocating for yourself. Meagan: Absolutely. And then in addition to gestational diabetes, she had advanced maternal age barely with her second, but that is something that also gets thrown out. A lot of the time, we have providers saying, “We shouldn't have a vaginal birth. We should have a C-section by this time,” so that's another thing. If you are an advanced-maternal-age mama, listen up because here is another story for you as well. We don't have a lot of those on the podcast. We are so excited to welcome Heidi to the show. 05:50 Review of the WeekMeagan: Of course, we are going to do a Review of the Week and then we will dive right in. This was from stephaniet and it says, “Inspiring and Educational.” It says, “As a mother currently in her third trimester preparing for a VBAC, I was so happy to find this podcast. The stories shared are so encouraging and it is so comforting to know that I am not alone in feeling that once a Cesarean, always a Cesarean.” 100%. That is 100% true. You are not alone here. And once a Cesarean is not always a Cesarean. It says, “This does not have to be my story. Thanks, Meagan and Julie, for providing the support and education to women who are fighting for a chance to have a natural childbirth. I would love to encourage anyone wanting to learn more about VBAC to listen to this podcast.” Thank you, stephaniet. This was quite a few years ago, actually. This was in 2019. We still have some reviews in 2019 that weren't read. It's 2024, so that's really awesome and as usual, if you have a moment, we would love your reviews. Your reviews truly are what help more Women of Strength find these stories. We want these stories to be heard so leave us a review if you can on Apple Podcasts and Google. You can email us a review or whatever, but definitely if you listen to the podcast on a platform, leave a review and that would help. 08:04 Heidi's first pregnancy with gestational diabetesMeagan: All right, Ms. Heidi. Welcome to the show and thank you for being with us. Heidi: Thanks for having me. This is awesome. Meagan: Well, let's talk about it. Share your story with us with your C-section. Heidi: Yeah. We were planning for a child and we just decided. We were like, “Okay. Let's shoot for an April birthdate.” We just thought that we could just have a child, but we got lucky and we did on the first try. Meagan: Amazing. Heidi: We went to our local hospital that was about five minutes away for care and it just seemed good enough. At the time, I thought you just go to the hospital. You get care. You can trust the provider and you don't really need to do anything other than a hospital birth class for prepping. We just went along that journey. They assured me, “This will be a normal pregnancy. Everything is great.” The pregnancy was uneventful until about 20 weeks when I found out my baby was missing a kidney during a routine ultrasound. That sent us down Google rabbit holes and all kinds of fun things. Meagan: I'm sure, yeah. Heidi: Yeah. So at that point, we were assigned a Maternal-fetal medicine OB. I was offered an amniocentesis if we wanted to check and see what else was wrong and things like that. That was a major curveball. Meagan: Did you end up participating in the amnio? Heidi: No, we didn't. We had a couple of detailed ultrasounds after that. At first, they didn't actually tell me what they were looking for. I had three ultrasounds in a row that were not the more detailed ones. Meagan: Oh, okay. Heidi: I was like, “Why am I having all of these ultrasounds? Nobody is saying anything.” I finally got a phone call telling me that my daughter was missing a kidney so that's what they were looking for. I was like, “Okay. Good to know.” Meagan: Yeah. You would have thought some communication before then would have happened though. Heidi: Yeah. It was pretty scary. So what seemed pretty uneventful–Meagan: Got eventful. Heidi: Yeah, it did. So right around 28-30 weeks when they do the gestational diabetes check, I went in for my check and found that I would need to start tracking my blood sugar and diabetes does tend to kind of run in my family even though everybody is very healthy. I was wondering if it would come up and also being older, sometimes they say there is a link but it still took me by surprise because I'm a very active person and I eat really healthy. I felt like a failure basically. Meagan: I'm so sorry Heidi: Yeah. All of a sudden, I'm meeting with a nutritionist. They give me this whole package of a finger pricker. Yeah, exactly. All of a sudden, I'm submitting logs four times a day checking blood sugar, and the fasting numbers for me just weren't coming down so it was about one week of that, and then all of a sudden, they were saying, “Okay. You probably need insulin.” 12:05 Taking insulinHeidi: It came on so fast, so strong. Meagan: Wow. Heidi: It was really scary so then I found myself going to the pharmacy. I am a very healthy person so it was just all really weird going to the pharmacy buying insulin and learning all about insulin and learning almost how little the medical field understands about gestational diabetes. That was something bouncing in my head bouncing off the wall trying to understand the plan there. Meagan: Yeah. Heidi: Yeah, so after that, then I got phone calls from the nurses. They said, “You know, now you are on insulin. Now, you are going to have twice weekly NSTs required at 35 weeks.” I'm thinking, “Well, I'm working full time. How am I going to do all of this?” There is just so much sick time and it was really, really difficult to hear all of that. Meagan: Yeah. How do I have time for all of that? Plus just being pregnant. Heidi: Yeah. Yeah. Insulin and just for anyone that doesn't know, basically you inject yourself. I was injecting myself every night with an insulin pen and it was all just very weird because you're also thinking, “Well, I'm pregnant. I've never been on this medication. What is it going to do to me? What is it doing to my baby?” Very nervewracking. It's all normal to feel that way. Meagan: Yeah. I think sometimes when we get these diagnoses, we want to either recluse because it's so overwhelming, and sometimes then, our numbers can get a little wonky, or we dive in so much that it consumes us and we forget that we are still human and we don't have to do that. Heidi: Yeah. Now that you say that, I definitely did a little bit of both. Meagan: Did you? Heidi: I did a little bit of denial and then I did a little bit of obsessive researching. Meagan: Yeah, because you want to know. You want to be informed and that's super good, but sometimes it can control us. Heidi: Yes. Absolutely. You're watching every single thing that goes into your body. I probably didn't look at food normally until my second pregnancy to be honest with you. Meagan: Really? Heidi: Yeah. Meagan: Yeah. Yeah. So it was working. Things were being managed. Heidi: Yes. I was honestly very grateful for the insulin. Obviously, it took a little while to feel that way, but it was very well-managed. My numbers were right in range. My blood sugars were always normal throughout the day. I never had to do anything during the day. I just checked my blood sugars. Then the other thing that came as an alarm, they told me about the NSTs which are non-stress tests. They also mentioned that I would need an induction in the 39th week because–Meagan: 39 to be suggested, I should say. Heidi: Yeah. It wasn't explained to me that with that provider, it was a choice. It wasn't a suggestion. It was like, “You have to do this or you might have a stillbirth.” It was really scary. Meagan: Oh. Heidi: I didn't know I had a choice. Being a first-time mom and not knowing about evidence-based birth, this podcast, or all of it. I had no idea. So I was told I could schedule it anytime after my 36th week and for every appointment that I had as I started getting closer, I felt a lot of pressure from the providers to schedule the induction. They cited the ARRIVE trial. Meagan: Yes. Another thing I roll my eyes at. I don't hate all things. I just don't like when people call people old and when they tell people they have to do something because of a trial that really wasn't that great. But, okay. Heidi: Yep. Yeah. I mean, they didn't explain the details of it either. They just said, “Oh, it's the ARRIVE trial,” so I go and Google and try to make sense of it. They just say, “Stillbirth risk increases.” They say, “If you are induced at the 39th week, there is no increase and chance of a C-section,” so I thought, “Oh, okay. Sure.” Meagan: Right. Right, yeah. Heidi: I finally gave in near the end and I scheduled my induction for the 39th week and 6th day. Meagan: Okay, so almost 41. Heidi: Yep. So then I worked right up to the night before my induction. I was admitted to the hospital at 7:00 AM. I was planning for an unmedicated, uncomplicated delivery and an induction using a Cook balloon because my provider had checked me in the office the day before and they found that I was 1 centimeter dilated so they said they could probably get the balloon. I'm thinking, “Oh, it's going to be a mechanical induction. There's going to be no IV. It's going to be really as natural as possible.” 18:08 39-week induction Heidi: I get into triage and immediately, they start putting an IV in my right arm. I am right-handed. Meagan: Why do they do that? If you are listening and you are getting an IV, don't hesitate to say, “Hey, that's my dominant hand. Can we put it in the other one?” Also, don't hesitate to say, “Don't put it in my wrist where I'm going to try and be bending and breastfeeding a baby in the end. Put it in the hand or put it up in the arm.” Heidi: That's really good advice. I didn't know that the first time. Meagan: I didn't either. Heidi: I knew enough to say, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Put it in my left hand.” They ended up putting it in my forearm. So here I am. I was hooked up to Penicillin. I was GBS positive. I feel like I had all of the things. Meagan: Yes. We've got gestational diabetes, GBS, maternal age, and now we've got an induction. Heidi: Yeah. Oh yeah. So yeah. They put in Penicillin, Pitocin, and saline, and then they showed me how to move around while wheeling an IV pole. Meagan: Mmm, yeah. Fun.Heidi: Yeah. We felt a little gutted at that point. We are in the hospital and sorry, when I say we, it's my husband and I. Yeah. The midwife had trouble getting the Cook balloon in. We just sat around on Pitocin that first day. The OB finally got it in around 10:00 PM that night. It was her first visit to see us actually. She probably could have gotten it in earlier had she come earlier. It sped up the labor overnight as soon as the Cook balloon went in. It was a bit painful. They stopped the Pitocin the next morning. My water broke on its own. They were talking about coming in to break my water and I think my body probably heard them, so it broke on its own. Yeah. I was just laying in the bed and it happened. Then labor began to pick up, but the contractions were still not regular. Pitocin was increased and then the contractions got really intense, but still irregular until around 4:00 PM that day at which point, I just couldn't take it. I asked for the epidural. Meagan: That's a lot. That's a lot. Heidi: Yeah. It was intense. 20:59 Pushing Heidi: The shift changed and a new nurse had a student with her. So I consented to the student being there thinking, “Oh yeah. Come on. Come observe my awesome labor. This is going to be amazing. It's going to be a vaginal delivery and everything,” so I'm like, “Yeah, sure. Let them learn.” I achieved 10 centimeters dilation and full effacement around 9:00 PM that night so it was really exciting. Meagan: That's actually pretty fast. 10:00 is when the Cook was planned the night before. 9:00 PM, so hey, that's pretty good. Heidi: Yeah. I was happy about that. I was so excited to push. I couldn't feel a lot because I was on the epidural, but it really took the pain away and it helped a lot in the moment. So let's see, I was mostly on my back. I was tired. I was just really tired at this point. There was, the nurse that I had was pretty new. She had been there for I think 6 months and then she was also trying to juggle the student nurse. She didn't have a lot of knowledge of positioning. I thought going into it that all nurses were trained in Spinning Babies and all nurses had the knowledge of baby positioning and things like that, but I was wrong. Meagan: Yeah, unfortunately, they are not all. I don't think a lot of them have it actually. Most of them don't. Heidi: Yeah. I pushed mostly on my back and when the OB came in around 11:00, she noticed my pushing was not effective at 11:00 PM. Meagan: So two hours in. Heidi: Yes. My position needed to be changed. She got me up on the squat bar and then she left again, but she showed me how to push and everything in the meantime. When she came back in, she explained to me that I would probably need a C-section soon. I don't exactly remember that sequence of events because it is so intense. I felt really defeated. I was like, “I just started. What do you mean I will probably need a C-section?” Meagan: So you were still wanting to keep going?Heidi: Oh yeah. Oh yeah. She also explained that meconium started to show in the amniotic fluid. The OB explained to me that the baby was probably in distress because of that. That was all that was said. Heidi: I spiked a fever. They gave me Tylenol and then the baby's heart rate began to slow a little bit, just for a little bit. The OB inserted a monitor on the top of her head. At this point, I felt like I was pushing for my life. I was like, “Oh my gosh. I need to get this baby out. How do I do this?” But I still felt like, “I can do this. I can do this. I know I can do this.” Meagan: Yeah. Heidi: But there were definitely questions at this point. 24:29 Arrest of descent and opting for a C-sectionHeidi: Yeah, so then around 2:30 in the morning, I was told by the OB to get on all fours and try one last position and I could opt for a C-section at that point or I could push until the OB came back in. I was like, “You know what? I'm going to give it all I have. I'm going to work so hard and the baby is going to come out in the next 45 minutes. She's got to.” So I did. Honestly, I was so grateful that I had that last 45 minutes. I feel like if I didn't, it would have been stolen from me. I feel I was defeated when she came back in because she was still not out and I was exhausted, but I was ready. The baby was not going to come out any other way at this point for whatever reason. That was going to be dissected months later, years later by me, but in the moment, yeah. She was at station 0. I was told she wasn't far enough down to do an assisted delivery, so they wheeled me into the OR for the C-section. I requested that the baby have skin-to-skin as well as delayed cord clamping. Unfortunately, none of this happened and I guess I should also note that once they put the monitor on her head, she did great. She still was not in distress. I was doing great too. The C-section was just really for arrest of descent. They just thought it was taking too long because I had been pushing for a little over 5 hours at that point. Meagan: Yeah. Heidi: Yeah. She was born via C-section at 3:20 in the morning. She weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and she was in the OP position. Meagan: I was just going to say, was there a positional issue here? I always wonder when there's patterns like yours where I'm like, “That sounds like a positional thing.” Okay, so OP. Occiput posterior for anyone who is listening or sunny-side up. Baby just needed rotation. Heidi: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was that. Meagan: Yeah. So then did you end up when you got pregnant, did you end up staying with this provider? How did that journey begin? 27:06 Researching providers before second pregnancyHeidi: I went back– let's see. I'm trying to think. I went back for routine care almost a year later. I had care in between, but I had wanted to see that provider just to have closure. I asked her. At the time, I wasn't really sure that I wanted another child. My husband and I were just really thinking, “Is that what recovery is always like?” After the C-section, it was really hard. I asked her, “If I were to have another child, what would be my odds of delivering vaginally? Could I have another child that way instead of the C-section?” She said, “You probably would end up with another C-section if you even tried so you probably have about a 40% chance.” It was not based on anything. Meagan: Hmm. So she didn't even do the calculator, just gave you a percentage. Heidi: No. Just gave me a percentage. Meagan: Oh dear, okay. Heidi: So at the end of that appointment, again, I still had not really educated myself and knew that there were amazing resources out there, so I just said, “Okay. If I have another child, I'll have to have another C-section.” I went home and told my husband. I said, “If we have another child, we're going to have to have a C-section.” We were both like, “Okay, maybe we won't have another child.” Yeah, so then another year passed. We were beginning to get ready and slowly started to research other providers just for routine gynecological care. We ended up finding a hospital that was just about 25 minutes away just thinking, “Well, what if?” I had heard this hospital was well-known for VBACs and I had also started seeing a pelvic floor therapist prior to going to this hospital for care who was working at this hospital. It was kind of on my radar. Heidi: From there, I met the OB. I met the OB and then I was just really shocked at how supportive she was. In the past, you just go into the OB or gynecologist and they will put you in a gown and they do whatever they need to do, a pap smear or whatever. But this one, the nurse had said, “Don't get undressed. They want to meet you. They want to talk to you first.” Meagan: I love that so much. I love that. That's awesome. Heidi: It was so different. It was in a hospital, but it didn't feel like a medical office. The rooms were painted blues and greens. You could tell there was a lot of effort being made to make it feel like home. I began my journey. I had just met with her. This OB had talked to me about birth story processing. I had no idea what any of this was. I had no idea that I even had trauma from my last pregnancy at this point until I had just met with her and was talking with her. She said, “There is no pressure if you don't want to have another child.” I was just there to meet with her and have a check-up. I think I want to say a couple of months passed and actually, that night, I went home to see my husband. I was like, “You know if we do have another child, it's going to be here.” Yeah, so a couple of months went by and we did decide to have another child. Again, the baby was conceived right away. No complications. This time, we started working with a doula. I began birth story medicine at the same time. I did that for a couple of months in addition to my therapist to process the birth trauma and just everything. I was tested for gestational diabetes early during this pregnancy. I started insulin at 11 weeks and I was just kind of ready this time. It wasn't as scary honestly the second time. It's a lot of work. I would say that it was annoying, but it wasn't scary. Meagan: Well, and you're like, “I've done this before. I did a really good job last time. I learned a lot,” because you did go pretty deep into it, so you're like, “I can do this. I've got this.” Duh, this kind of sucks, but you know. You got it. No problem. Heidi: Right. My first baby was born at a really great weight and there were no complications at all. Meagan: Good. Did they already start talking about induction and things like that from the get-go? Did they talk about extra testing? Because at this point, you for sure have it. Earlier or later, did they talk about that stuff? Heidi: With this provider, I went in and they told me I was old last time, the other provider. I'm really old. They looked at me and were like, “No, you're not.” Meagan: No, you're not. Heidi: Yeah. They're like, “You're 37. That's not old.” Meagan: Yeah. Heidi: I'm like, “What?” Meagan: The other clinic, would they have wanted to do NSTs because of age and gestational diabetes? Heidi: I don't know. Meagan: Okay. But these guys were like, “No, we're good. We don't need to do any extra testing because of an early diagnosis of gestational diabetes and now you're 37.” Heidi: Yeah. They said what they do consider older but it's still not impossible was, I believe, over 40. Meagan: So you didn't even have that pressure from the get-go? Heidi: No, no. Meagan: What an amazing way to start. Heidi: Yeah. It was amazing. They also weren't concerned with the fact that I was on insulin. We did talk about NSTs because I asked because I knew it would come up and they had said, “You can have once a week as long as your sugars are in control, we are comfortable with that.” I felt so relieved. Yeah. It was such a holistic, relaxed approach. They trusted me to manage my body and to know what I needed and that was so empowering, the whole journey whereas before, I felt like I had a really short leash and they were basically managing everything for me as if they knew what was right for me and my body. Meagan: I was just looking. I'm just looking because I'm sure people are like where is this person? Where is this provider? Was it at the CMC? Is that where it was? Heidi: Yes. Yeah, Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. Meagan: Awesome. This is good. These are good vibes here with this provider. Heidi: Totally, yeah. Oh my gosh, yeah. 38:04 Discussions around inductionHeidi: So let's see. Once I'm diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I have maternal-fetal medicine ultrasounds, but that also was true because my first daughter was born missing a kidney. Again, she's totally healthy and totally great, but they wanted to make sure that nothing weird was going on, yeah. That was at about 32 weeks. They were also checking the baby's growth and baby's size at that point. Baby was measuring very average. She had two kidneys. Little things that we take for granted, we were so grateful for. Yeah. That went really well. The pregnancy was just progressing really well. In my third trimester, I was struggling with all of the extra appointments and the trauma that I was processing though from my last birth because I knew and my gut told me, “You need to work through this because if you don't, you have to be really strong to have a VBAC. You have to really work through a lot of mental blocks and things that come your way.” So I just started getting really stressed between work and the appointments will all the different therapies so I decided to take a couple of months away from work prior to the delivery in order to process everything and prepare myself. That was a really hard decision but it was probably one of the best decisions that I could make. Meagan: Good for you. Heidi: Yeah. At around 36 weeks, it was suggested to me by my provider that I could consider a 39-week induction, but it was delivered so differently. Meagan: Good. Heidi: Reasoning basically says that ACOG has a suggestion for insulin-controlled gestational diabetes. They basically told me the data. They told me why they are suggesting this, but ultimately it is my choice. It was a discussion that I just found to be so incredible and weird in a really good way. Meagan: Which in my opinion is so sad that these things happen that are good conversations have to feel weird to us because that should just be normal, but it's not a lot of the time, right? Heidi: Yeah. I was working with my doula at the time and she was a really big proponent of expectant management and letting everything happen naturally and honestly, that's all I ever wanted. I think that's what most people want. So I just explained, “I am not interested in induction. I want to do expectant management as long as everything progresses the way that it's going and it goes well. That's what I want to do.” They said, “Okay. We can do that.” Meagan: I love that. That's great. Heidi: It was amazing. It was really empowering. 41:45 NSTs twice a weekHeidi: So let's see. They suggested that I have a 36-week ultrasound to check my baby's size again. Actually, no sorry. They suggested it. I was actually able to negotiate my way out of it. I said, “You know, I just had one at 32 weeks. Is it really necessary to have another in 4 weeks?” I talked to the OB and she was like, “You know what? No. You don't have to do that.” Yeah. Meagan: Things are just getting better and better. Heidi: Oh, so good. Yeah. So right around then, the NSTs began. I'll just say also, I walk into– so NSTs were really awkward during my first pregnancy. I sat on the hospital bed so uncomfortable and sitting up with all of these things attached to me. At this provider, I go in. There is an NST room and it's painted blue and it's really common. There is a reclining chair and for me, it just really felt like they were normalizing the fact that NSTs do happen and it's okay and it's normal. Here's a special space for it. Meagan: Well, and almost like they are setting you up for success in those NSTs because in NSTs, when we are really uncomfortable and tense, overall, that's not going to be good for us or our babies. That's going to potentially give us readings that we don't want but when we are comfortable and we are feeling welcomed and we are like, “Yeah, we're not happy that we are here taking this test,” or sometimes we are, but when we are comfortable and we are feeling the beautiful colors and the nice, soft recliner, it's a very different situation to set you up for very different results. Heidi: Yes. Absolutely. Yeah, so then my journey just kept going. My NSTs were beautiful every week. It was really interesting how they set them up because they had the NSTs after the doctor's appointments because they weren't expecting. If they can get a good reading, I think the minimum is 20 minutes whereas I had the NSTs before so it was like they were looking for a problem then I had the doctor's appointment so I ended up being there for 2 hours during my first pregnancy. But these ones, I never sat more than 20 minutes.The nurses usually saw what they needed within 5 minutes and they said, “Your baby is doing great. You're out of here as soon as the time is up.” Meagan: That is amazing. Oh my gosh, 2 hours. That is a long time. Heidi: Yes. Yes. This pregnancy was really odd, but I'll take it. I stopped needing insulin during the last two weeks. Usually, there is a peak near the end of pregnancy, and then the need for insulin goes down in the last two weeks I want to say. For me, it actually just kept going down, down, down, and then all of a sudden, it was gone. That didn't happen last time. They were a little nervous about that because it didn't really happen. I explained to them, “I think it's honestly probably lack of stress,” because I wasn't working at my job at the time and I was moving a lot more too, so who knows? Meagan: Really interesting. Heidi: It did make them a little nervous because they said there is very limited data, but sometimes it can indicate an issue with the baby. Meagan: Oh, the placenta. Heidi: Sorry, I'm nervous so I'm forgetting. Meagan: There are times when it can be the placenta being affected. Is that what they were saying?Heidi: Yes, thank you. They said, “We could offer an induction at this point,” because I was at 39 weeks when they brought that up. I said, “I don't think so. I really want to stay the course. I want to do expectant management.” They said, “Okay, would you be open to twice-weekly NSTs?” I said, “Yes. If that lets me keep doing what I'm doing, we can do that and it's probably not a bad idea, because you never know.” 47:10 Testing for preeclampsiaHeidi: I woke up one morning at week 40 and thought my water was trickling out. I texted my doula and she was getting home from another birth and was going to rest, so I worked with my backup doula for that day which was a little scary. I didn't know what was going to happen from there. Around 6:00 PM that night, my husband and I arranged for my mom to watch our daughter because we needed to get to the hospital to get the amniotic fluid checked. We probably should have gone a little earlier, but the backup doula had suggested it might not be amniotic fluid. It might just be discharge. Meagan: Is there much going on labor-wise? Heidi: Not really. It was pretty quiet. Then I actually had an NST the day before that and there really wasn't much going on. I felt little Braxton Hicks-type things, but nothing much. We packed our bags, got ready, and got my mom. We arrived in triage. I had slightly elevated blood pressure which was just a routine check, but that basically led to them testing me for preeclampsia and then a urine test. Meagan: Hmm, a slight increase? Oh, man. Heidi: Yeah. It was slightly increased. You know, like a lot of people, hospitals make me nervous. Meagan: Yep. Yeah. They jumped right in and started going the moment you got there. Heidi: Yes. Yeah. It's different. It's still in the hospital, but it's separate. Labor and delivery is separate. They just had a very different mindset at the moment. I was sure that I didn't have preeclampsia. They asked me all of the questions and I'm like, “I really don't think that's what this is.” They were saying, “You're also post-date with gestational diabetes.” Meagan: Post-date by one? Heidi: Yes. Meagan: Or by 40 weeks. Heidi: Yeah. Yeah, so I would need an induction if I get preeclampsia and all of this. Who let this girl go this long? What the heck kind of thing? Meagan: Not helping your blood pressure, that's for sure. Heidi: I definitely started feeling PTSD. I was just like, “This again? Oh no. I feel like I'm in prison.” That's the way it felt last time. I knew I needed to get out of there fast. It wasn't good. The OB came in and lectured me. This was a different OB. She lectured me about preeclampsia and how I should really stay in the hospital. They were going to send for bloodwork even if it came back okay, I should stay the night. They drew the blood and I'm just beside myself at this point. I was like, “Well, when are they going to get the results back?” They said, “Probably about an hour or so.” You know how backed up the lab is. They were like, “Are you really going to drive home and come back?” I was like, “If I have to come back, which I really don't think I will, then yes, I will.” The blood was taken. The nurse ran back within– I want to say it was 10 minutes. It was really fast. She said, “You guys should really consider staying. Your platelets are low.” I said, “Okay.” Meagan: The labs came back that fast? Heidi: They came back really fast. Meagan: Because you were saying that you were maybe going to go back home? That's interesting. Heidi: Yeah. I said, “Okay. That's thrombocytopenia.” My provider had said I had that. We talked about it and I also had it during my last pregnancy. Meagan: Wait, what did you just call that? Heidi: Thrombocytopenia. Meagan: Thrombocytopenia. I've heard low platelets. I've never heard it called that. Heidi: Thrombocytopenia. I actually listened to a podcast oddly enough with Nr. Nathan Fox. Meagan: We love him. Heidi: Yeah, he's awesome. He was basically saying that it's common and it's generally not a big deal. Meagan: I just Googled it. Yeah, it says it's a condition where the platelets are low. It can result in bleeding problems. Yeah. Okay, all right. Keep going. Heidi: Yeah. It was interesting because he had said, “Within range,” and I was within that range, but I also talked to my provider about it months before and she said, “Oh yeah. This is common. We are not concerned with your levels.” Luckily, I was like, “Oh my gosh. I know enough.” I was like, “Nope. I know what that is. We are okay and we are going home. They can call us with the results.” So we went home. Meagan: That is amazing. Did they make you sign an AMA or anything like that? Were they just like, “Fine. We were going to have you stay, but you are good to go.” Heidi: Yeah. There was no paperwork. Meagan: Okay. Good. Heidi: I was free. Yeah. I was actually amazed at how– I mean, I was very firm with them. I was just like, “We are going home now.”Meagan: That is hard. That is really, really hard to do, like really, really hard so good for you for following your gut. Heidi: Yeah. It felt really good. Yeah. We got home. I started to feel some mild, irregular contractions and the same thing I had been feeling. We sent my mom home because she was still at my house. Like, “Go ahead. We've probably got another day.” I was like, “I know something is going to be happening soon. I feel it.” So around 10:30 that night, I got the call from the OB– Meagan: Yours? Heidi: Sorry, the one in the hospital that was treating me. She had said, “All right. You don't have preeclampsia. You don't have to come back.” I said, “Okay. We did it.” Meagan: Yep. Yep. Yep. Can you imagine having to be there that whole time? Heidi: No. Yeah. I'm sure they would have found something else. Who knows? Meagan: You never know. 54:53 Spontaneous laborHeidi: Yeah, so when we were home, we unpacked our bags, ate some food and sent my mom home. I bounced on my birth ball. I was pumped. I was so excited. We were like, “Okay. Back on the normal track.” Then around midnight, some contractions started that I figured would stop once I laid down for bed. I didn't really know. I never really had normal, non-Pitocin-induced contractions before, so I didn't really know what they would feel like. I was in denial, to be honest. I was like, “There's no way. I'm not going into labor right now. What are these? These are nothing. It's just cause I'm nervous or something.” I laid down. My husband was already asleep at this point and they didn't stop. They just kept getting stronger. I was lying there thinking, “No. I can't go into labor right now. I don't want to see that OB. I can't. I can't. This is not happening.” I was just willing my body, wishing and willing my body to wait until 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM until the shift change. So then I was like, “Okay. I should probably start timing these because this is no joke.” I found a timer and started timing them. They were spaced at 5 minutes apart lasting a minute each. I was like, “This is early labor. This is it.” I finally woke my husband up and I was like, “Hey. I think we're going.” Meagan: This is going to happen. Heidi: Yeah. I called my doula. I had been texting her meanwhile the whole time and she was super supportive throughout, then I finally was like, “I need to call her.” She talked me through what I was experiencing because I had no idea. She was like, “You guys should probably leave soon because this is your second baby and it could happen really fast.” I noticed there was pink discharge. Meagan: And you had made it to 10 before. Heidi: Yes, exactly. She was like, “This could happen really fast.” I noticed some discharge and it was pink. Contractions started to be really regular and really painful. She was like, “That's probably your cervix dilating.” I was like, “Why am I dragging my feet? We need to go. We need to go now.” 57:43 Going to the hospitalHeidi: We called my mom to have her come back to our house. I think it was 1:00 in the morning at this point. She didn't answer immediately probably because she was exhausted. Meagan: Probably asleep, yeah. Heidi: When she did, it was finally 2:00 AM and there was a bit of an ice storm outside, just a little one but just enough to make the roads slippery because she had texted me when she was going back home and she was like, “It's kind of icy. I just want to let you know.” So then I was like, “Oh no. My mom's on her way, but it's going to take her a while to get back to the house.” Then it's going to take us a while to get to the hospital. It was really getting pretty scary, but we were just like, “Okay. Let's just pack our bags again,” because we had started unpacking them. My provider had actually said that they were comfortable with me going until at least 41 weeks so I was like, “I could go until 41 weeks and then who knows?” Meagan: Right. Heidi: Anyway, so we put everything back. It was a really good distraction and then every single contraction, we would stop and brace ourselves. My mom got to our house at 3:15. We got to the hospital around 4:00 AM. It was the longest car ride of my life. My doula was like, “The contractions might slow down in the car.” I was secretly praying that they didn't because so many people that I knew had prodromal labor and I was like, “I want this to come like a freight train. I don't want it to stop.” It is so painful, then a lot of people say you get nervous when you get in the hospital. Things will slow down. I was just so nervous about all of that. I got to the hospital. My doula arrived soon after. We spent almost two hours in triage even though we were already there filling out paperwork. The contractions didn't stop or slow down during this. I was beside myself. I was like, “Oh my gosh. My body is ready. We are doing this.” The nurse in triage, at the time, was a different nurse. I think she worked a half shift or something, but she was really skeptical of VBAC. I was not comfortable with her. She said I couldn't eat. She had obviously outdated info. I asked her, “Why can't I eat?” She said, “Well, the odds of you needing another C-section are higher.” I'm like, “Well, how do you know that?” It was just really frustrating. I requested a midwife to deliver my midwife because the same OBs were on staff. I was going to a midwife for my care, a midwife, and an OB team. I actually ended up seeing the midwife even more than the OB so I really was comfortable with requesting a midwife to deliver, but the nurse really pushed back. She said, “You're a VBAC. I don't think you can have a midwife.” Yeah. She went into the hall, made a phone call with the midwife and the midwife on staff actually said no supposedly because I was a VBAC. Meagan: What? They had never said anything like this in your prenatals. Heidi: No. No. I think again, it's a little different. They also use other hospital staff at this hospital so you never know who you're going to get, but my doula is there and that's what matters. That's why I had a doula because you don't know. Meagan: You don't always know, yeah. 1:02:03 Laboring in the tubHeidi: They asked to do a cervical check. I was hesitant, but they said, “We have to do this to admit you.” I was like, “I'm not leaving at this point. I'm clearly in labor.” I consented to it and they found I was 4 centimeters dilated so I stayed. I got to my room around 6:30 and actually, I think I was about 80% effaced at this point. I got to my room around 6:30 and I just began setting it up to distract myself. My doula started setting up the bath for me. I was like, “I want to go to the bath.” I got to the tub around 7:00 AM to deal with the contractions because I really wanted a natural birth this time. My water broke 5 minutes after that. Shift changed at 7:00 AM. I feel like my body was like, “Okay, hey. Shift change at 7:00,” and then my water broke. Meagan: You said we were in triage for two hours and I was like, “Your body was waiting for shift change intuitively.” There you go. Heidi: I got in the tub. My water broke. A new nurse came in around 7:15. She had a trainee, but this was a nurse who had a lot of experience and she was just training to be in labor and delivery so it was basically like an extra set of experienced hands. She was also a nurse who had run a training for us a couple of months before and I was like, “I hope I get this nurse. I really, really hope I get this nurse.” In she walked, and I couldn't believe it. She came down to me at the tub. She started asking me questions right away about my birth plan. It's like she studied it. It was the most amazing thing. I can't exactly remember what she was asking, but just clarification and she was like, “Yes. We can do this. We can do this and we will do that.” I was like, “Wow.” The first time, I had a birth plan, but I'm pretty sure they burned it. Meagan: Aww. Heidi: Then she just started talking about how the birth process would go and how I would be feeling mentally more than likely and she also said that she is well-versed in Spinning Babies. Meagan: What you wanted! Heidi: Yeah. Yeah. I was like, “This is heaven.” I also took a short course in it to prep for this labor and I really was trying to do all of the things. I couldn't do all of the things, but I think there is a lot of science to Spinning Babies, especially having an OP baby the first time. Initially, I was experiencing back labor. She asked me, “Where do you feel your pain?” I said, “In my back.” She said, “Get on all fours. The baby could be OP.” I was just like, “Oh my gosh. I will do anything to not have another OP baby.” She said, “We're going to spin her.” I stayed on all fours. I just did this. I started using the nitrous. This hospital provided nitrous. Meagan: Nitrous oxide?Heidi: Yeah. The other hospital did not have that, but I was so excited for that. It helped me just breathe through my contractions, really get in tune with my body, and gave me a focus. I was able to move around really freely. When I was in the tub, I started to feel the urge to push so we moved out into the bed. I still stayed on all fours. But I was also just, I don't remember this, but my doula was saying that I really was kind of dancing. I was moving in the ways that my body told me to do. It felt so incredible and obviously painful. 1:06:22 Pushing for 30 minutesHeidi: Then it was about 9:15 and I was really, really wanting to push at this point. I was told to wait for a cervical check though and I was like, “Why do I need a cervical check? I'm ready.” Meagan: My body is saying I'm ready, yeah. Heidi: Yeah. A midwife came in. She introduced herself and she was like, “I'm going to be delivering your baby.” I was like, “Okay.” I couldn't believe it. It was a different midwife and she was like, “I want to check you because you could have a lip if you're not fully effaced. Your pushing will be ineffective.” She found that I was 10 centimeters dilated, fully effaced so then we went on and pushed. My daughter came out at 9:46 AM so we pushed for a half hour. Meagan: Oh my gosh! So you got baby in a good position and isn't there such a difference between pushing? Heidi: Yes. Not having the epidural, I could feel everything. It was so real. She was 7 pounds, 3 ounces. She did have a compound presentation. She was head down, but yeah. She came out with her hand pressed against her head. Meagan: Yes, come out thinking. Heidi: Yeah. I had really no tearing, very, very minimal. I achieved the delayed cord clamping. My husband got to cut the cord. We didn't have to remind them of our wishes. They just knew. We had a golden hour which I never had before, but I was told I could take as long as I wanted, and yeah. It was just the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced in my life and I just couldn't believe I did it. Meagan: Yeah, what a journey. I am so happy for you. Heidi: Thank you. Meagan: Congratulations. And now, at this time of recording, how old is your baby? Heidi: She is 8 weeks.Meagan: 8 weeks. Brand new! How has the postpartum been? Heidi: Oh my gosh. It's been amazing. I mean, as amazing as it can be. Let's be real, but compared to what it was. Meagan: Good. I'm so happy for you. You know, when you finished your first, you were like, “My husband and I didn't even know if we would ever want another kid.” I can just see this joy on your face right now. Where are you at in that stage now? Are you two and done or are you like, “I could do this again”? Heidi: We are two and done. Meagan: Hey. Heidi: Yeah, I mean it's funny because the nurse and my OB were like, “You really should have another one.” Meagan: This is what I did. I went out with a bang. You went out with a bang. Heidi: You can't top this. Meagan: You got the birth you wanted and all the things. You know, you advocated for yourself in the birth room. You left and then still advocated for yourself in the birth room. I mean, how amazing. How amazing. Heidi: Yeah. I ended up with the most supportive team. You do never know what you're going to get, but the team that came in at 7:00 AM, oh my goodness. They treated me like I was just a normal, vaginal birth. There was no VBAC. There was no jargon. It was beautiful. Meagan: I love hearing that. That is truly how it is supposed to be and it's so often not. Then yeah, then we learned more about the correct diagnosis or term of low platelets. I totally Googled it really quickly and it just said that gestational thrombocytopenia, how do you say it? Heidi: Thrombocytopenia. Meagan: Thrombocytopenia is a diagnosis of exclusion. The condition is asymptomatic. It usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy in the absence of a history of thrombocytopenia. Heidi: You got it. Meagan: It said, “The pregnancy and the platelet counts spontaneously return to normal within the first two months of postpartum.” We will make sure to have a little bit more reading. It will go back into some things, but one of the things it does say is that it is not necessarily an indication for a Cesarean delivery which is also important to know because I mean, there can be low platelet levels that are more intense like HELLP syndrome and things like that, but this is a really good things to know because that would have easily been something if it hadn't been for Dr. Nathan Fox and if it hadn't been for them talking to you about this. It could have scared you like, “Oh, okay. Okay. Let's stay.” But you were fully educated in the situation and were able to make a good choice for you and advocate for yourself and say, “I feel good about this. You can call me when the preeclampsia levels come back, but I feel good about this decision. We're moving on.” Then the amazing, miraculous, no insulin need, that's another really cool thing about your story, but I also wanted to share Lily Nichols. I don't know if you've ever heard of her. Heidi: Yes. For my first pregnancy, I read both of her books. She's amazing. Meagan: She's amazing. We'll be sure to link her books and stuff in the show notes as well so you can make sure to check it out. If you were given a diagnosis of gestational diabetes or even actually just in general, her books are amazing. You can read and be really, really well educated. Okay, well thank you so much for sharing your beautiful stories. Heidi: Yeah. Thank you for having me. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode, Angela talks about what it was like for her to experience her miscarriage and how that impacted her excitement for her future pregnancies. Including the emotions she carried with her as she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant with her third child. She also touches on what it was like to be cared for by out-of-hospital midwives while being considered Advanced Maternal Age. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only with no intention of giving or replacing any medical advice. I, Kiona Nessenbaum, am not a licensed medical professional. All advice that is given on the podcast is from the personal experience of the storytellers. All medical or health-related questions should be directed to your licensed provider. Resources:Evidence Based Birth: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/The Business of Being Born FilmParent Trust Classes: https://www.parenttrust.org/for-families/classes/ Definitions:Pregnancy at Age 35 or Older/Advanced Maternal Age (AMA)Dilation and Curettage (D&C)Chemical PregnancyAmniocentesisArtificial Rupture of Membranes (AROM) Membrane /Cervical SweepTENS UnitColicOcciput Posterior (OP) PresentationSupport the showThank you so much for tuning in to this episode! If you liked this podcast episode, don't hesitate to share it and leave a review. It really helps bring the podcast up for others to find and listen to as well. If you want to share your own birth story or experience on the Birth As We Know It Podcast, head over to https://kionanessenbaum.com or fill out this Guest Request Form. Support the podcast and become a part of the BAWKI Community by becoming a Patron on the Birth As We Know It Patreon Page!

Advanced maternal age is defined as a pregnant individual who is 35 years of age or older at the estimated due date or date of delivery. Pregnancy at or beyond this age is considered a risk factor for adverse outcomes in the birthing person and baby. When one is considered "advanced" in age, it is common for closer monitoring to be recommended during pregnancy. Induction of labor or elective cesarean birth are both considered appropriate options for managing labor and birth. For the pregnant person, being labeled and frequently reminded of their "advanced" age can lead to many challenging emotions. Some individuals may desire to assert boundaries surrounding discussions about their age. Instead, they may prefer to focus on their actual risks vs the perceived or statistical risk. Join us as we discuss the many complexities of supporting clients of "advanced" age during pregnancy.

Host Desiree Nathanson chats with her childhood friend Lindsay Gordon-Faranda about going from being parentally ambivellant to a mother who loves talking about her kid!  

In this episode, host Desirée Nathanson chats with Jennifer Lacullo about the differences between being pregnant at 32 and 42 and her practical approach to mothering while working.

In this epsiode host Desiree Nathanson sits down with Nikole Morrow Pettus to talk about becoming a mother just when she had given up hope. If you're in Atlanta, be sure to check out award-winning makeup artist, Nikole, at Van Michael Salon in Buckhead!

In today's episode we are joined by Jenna McDonald from The Fertility Suite to discuss conceiving over 35 and answer the question: how relevant is advanced maternal age? We discuss the relevance of the age 35, testing including AMH and your mid-luteal progesterone, the three main factors of egg count, egg reserve, conception as 50/50, or getting your partner involved, and so much more. Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/464 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

Listen to CEO and Founder of The Jewish Fertifility Foundation, Elana Frank's lengthy process and success with IVF.  www.jewishfertilityfoundation.org IG: @jewishfertilityfoundation

In this episode, host Desiree Nathanson talks to Carrie Couch about becoming pregnant later in life, finding a father, and how she makes it all work as a single mom.

In this episode, host Desiree Nathanson, chats with Manu Muraro who gave birth to her first baby at 38.8 and 42 when she gave birth to her second.  Manu talks about giving bith later in life, starting a business and her succesful battle with cancer. You can follow Manu on Instagram at @yoursocialteam and be sure to check out her website www.yoursocialteam.com!

This episode is for our mamas who are 35 years or older and planning to have an unmedicated birth. While some would consider your pregnancy to be "geriatric," being prepared and selecting the right provider can make a huge difference!Links Mentioned:My Essential Birth CourseMy Essential Birth Instagram3 Free ExercisesACOG's "Pregnancy at Age 35 Years or Older" ArticleACOG's "Having a Baby After Age 35: How Aging Affects Fertility and Pregnancy"Evidenced Based Birth: Evidence on: Pregnancy at Age 35 and OlderGET IN TOUCH!

In this episode, host Desirée Nathanson, chats with Tes Sobomehin Marshall who gave birth to her sweet daughter at age 43.  Tes talks about how advanced maternal age was a circumstance of life for her family.  You can follow Tes on Instagram at @runningnerds and be sure to check out her website www.runsocialatlanta.com for upcoming events!

Is 40 too old to have a baby?  Advanced Maternal Podcast host, Desiree Nathanson, shares her story of becoming a first-time mom at age 40.  If you're looking for a glimmer of hope amongst the fear when it comes to having babies later in life, this show is for you!

It's that time again! Yes. Time for another captivating episode of The Gripe Session Podcast, where your hosts, our lovely Gripe Gals, bring you into their world of candid conversations and captivating stories from their daily lives. In this episode, Chika shares her recent experience with a potent over-the-counter sleep aid (we won't name names right now, you'll have to listen in to find out more!) and providing a unique perspective on the topic. This segues into a conversation on insights into pregnancy and morning sickness remedies, making it a treasure trove of advice for our listeners, including advocating for yourself with medical professionals. Shanea shares a brief update on her ongoing journey with her PT treatment for her pelvic tilt, with more updates promised in future episodes. As always, the conversation takes interesting turns touching on many other topics and spirited dialog that will leave you craving more. Don't miss out! 

Maiclaire became pregnant naturally, really quickly, but miscarried at nearly 12 weeks. She and her husband then started fertility treatments with IUI. She became pregnant through her second IUI (Intrauterine insemination) but sadly miscarried at 9 weeks. Maiclaire completed 5 rounds of IVF as well. In this episode, we also discuss egg donorship and epigenetics."After the 2 miscarriages and the 2nd IVF cycle with no embryos, I was in a really low place and I was frustrated that no one talks about infertility and recurrent loss, so I wrote my book "Prequel to Parenthood: An Infertility Story."*It's going down (D)C, (M)aryland, and (V)irginia Friends! Hang with your girl in Annapolis, MD, for our first IRL event: No more Silent Silent Suffering Sip N Party, a fun night of socializing & connecting.Since this will be an intimate and PRIVATE party, tickets can only be snagged with this link. Spaces are VERY limited; see ya soon!*Submit your story to Monique for a chance to record and help end the stigma surrounding infertility. Connect on Instagram & SUBSCRIBE on YouTube*You can help support the continuation of I.A.M by Buying A CoffeeSupport Our Show Sponsors:*Learn more about the Mosie Baby Kit and read some of the amazing stories from the Mosie Community at try.mosiebaby.com/InfertilityAndMe. *Use code INFERTILITYANDME for [15% off] your order at checkout and join the 100,000 plus families who have included Mosie on their journey to conceive.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertility-and-me/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the EBB Podcast, I talk with EBB Childbirth Class graduates, Dr. Maria Rosselson and Nim Guttman their surprise pregnancy, and equally surprising home birth.   Dr. Maria Rosselson is a physician practicing as a board certified ophthalmologist in the Chicago area. Her husband, Nim Guttman, is an architect. They've been married since 2016 and live with their dog, Asher.   Maria and Nim share their experiences taking the EBB Childbirth Class and how it resulted in an evolution of thought for Maria as a physician and discuss extensively what it was like to surprisingly grow their family well after they thought that chapter of their lives was behind them. Their life took a surprising turn when they found themselves unexpectedly expecting their first child, a baby girl, in the Fall of 2022. Their baby's arrival into the world was just as unexpected, an unanticipated, unplanned, unmedicated home birth.   Content Warning: discussion of unplanned pregnancy, unplanned home birth, and a 911 call. There is also a mention of witnessing a postpartum maternal death in medical school.   Resources: Learn about about the topics discussed in this episode at the following EBB resources: EBB Signature Article on Pregnancy at Age 35+ Natural Induction Podcast Series Pocket Guide to Induction Podcast Listening Guide  Learn about 312 Doulas here  Learn more about taking the EBB Childbirth Class with Heather McCullough here   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

In this episode, Blyss and Dr. Stu delve into the term 'Geriatric Pregnancy', debunking myths and embracing evidence around advanced maternal age and the need for individualized care. They also touch upon stories of successful births, medical interventions, and the risks of synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) versus natural oxytocin. Amidst personal anecdotes, survival strategies for a metaphorical apocalypse, and reflections on adaptability, the episode underscores the importance of informed consent and patient autonomy in making birth choices.In this episode of Birthing Instincts:Geriatric Pregnancy and its misconceptionsRecommendations for pregnancy at advanced maternal ageUnderstanding the medical considerations & interventionsUpholding patient autonomy and informed consent in birth choicesStories of successful births, medical interventions, and informed consentThis show is supported by:LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every orderNeeded | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com. BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.Branch Basics | Go to links.branchbasics.com/birthinginstincts and use the code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 15% off a starter kit.Resources:ACOG Obstetric Care Consensus, Number 11 August 2022Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com Call-in line: 805-399-0439This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

In today's episode, Meg shares her two positive inductions. She fell pregnant at 39 with her first baby yet her advanced maternal age (AMA) didn't affect her care options or her birth choices. She knew she wanted continuity of care and accessed the MGP programme at her local hospital alongside the support of a student midwife. Her induced labour was relatively quick but she admits that the second (pushing) stage was her greatest challenge. In her second pregnancy she embraced the lessons shared in The Birth Class and loved the guidance and direction of her midwife while birthing her baby. Meg's story is beautifully told and incredibly positive; a really great starting point if you're new to pregnancy and the podcast. ___________ Have you heard the news? My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is now available for purchase. This book covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Get yours  today. I hope you love it.

Fei and Nick discuss "advanced maternal age." What does the term actually mean? And what about being AMA makes some at higher risk? We review these risks and how to manage them in pregnancy.  Also, big shout out to Sandra Richardson and Erin McCreary for being new patrons.  Don't forget to check out the Rosh Review Question of the Week on our website!  Twitter: @creogsovercoff1 Instagram: @creogsovercoffee Facebook: www.facebook.com/creogsovercoffee Website: www.creogsovercoffee.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/creogsovercoffee You can find the OBG Project at: www.obgproject.com

From a biological standpoint, there is a limited window for getting pregnant from reproductive age until menopause. While there is a big window of opportunity, there is never a perfect time to have a baby. You may end up expecting much sooner than you imagined, or life may work out that you end up pregnant much later. Due to the higher risk stigma of pregnancy after age 35 or social norms and expectations, many women feel pressure to have children before age 35. The technical term for having a baby over 35 is advanced maternal age. There is a classification for pregnant women over age 35 because many risks increase in this age group. Labeling an expecting mother who is 35 as a higher risk from the start can come along with anxiety and stress. There are also benefits to being a parent in your mid-thirties or older. This episode examines the evidence behind the risks associated with advanced maternal age and what pregnancy over 35 means for you and your baby.   Thank you to our sponsors   10% off Epic Will with the code PREGNANCYPODCAST. Epic Will is an inexpensive and easy way to ensure your family is protected. Get the building blocks of an early estate plan, including a last will and testament, healthcare power of attorney, an advance directive, and a financial power of attorney. I know we don't want to think about not being there for our kids. Secure your future in as little as five minutes and have peace of mind that your family's future is safe with legally binding documents built by an attorney.   FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase of AG1. With one delicious scoop of AG1, you're absorbing 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, whole-food sourced superfoods, probiotics, and adaptogens to help you start your day right. This special blend of ingredients supports your gut health, nervous system, immune system, energy, recovery, focus, and aging. As a friendly reminder, pregnant or nursing women should seek professional medical advice before taking this or any other dietary supplement.   Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode.   Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium to access the entire back catalog, listen to all episodes ad-free, get a copy of the Your Birth Plan Book, and more.   Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners.   For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses advance maternal age, what you should know, what it means for your fertility, and what should you do if you are waiting to start your family. She also discusses IVF success rates. You cannot make decisions based on data you don't know. So, it's important to know your age-related chances of having a child or multiple children if that is your goal.  In this week's Fertility In The News, Natalie discusses the Cosmopolitan article called “Inside the fertility black market, where men offer up 'free' sperm for a high price.” She explains the dangers of getting sperm from a stranger on the internet instead of a sperm bank. She believes that donor sperm should be more accessible, but this is not the way.  Finally, Natalie answers your social media questions during her segment FFS—For Fertility's Sake. Are you supposed to get blood work done before trying to conceive? If so, for what? Any advice on decreasing pressure of trying to conceive every month? Is Clomid/Letrozole for inducing regular periods, to improve egg quality, or both? And more! Don't forget to ask your questions on Instagram for next week's For Fertility's Sake segment when you see the question box on Natalie's page @nataliecrawfordmd. You can also ask a question by calling in and leaving a voicemail. Call 657–229–3672 and ask your fertility question today!       Thanks to our amazing sponsor! Check out this deal just for you: Apostrophe- Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/AAW or use the code AAW at checkout. If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Sunday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @nataliecrawfordmd, check out Natalie's YouTube channel Natalie Crawford MD, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out Fora Fertility.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PODCAST EPISODE - DEBORAH'S BIRTH STORIES - TRUSTING INTUITION AS A MOTHER OF “ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE” - #77 Join your host Sophia as she interviews Deborah on her two births. They discuss her home birth transfer, insurance and birth costs, delayed cord clamping, GBS+, vaginal cysts, and vaccines.  Deborah lives and loves on the banks of Clear Lake, Ca. with her husband, Jimmy, their two daughters, and many pets. She is now a full time mom enjoying the joys of homeschooling Akira, her 1st grader! Being reminded that she is an animal, has always made her feel special- so her pregnancies and their births, along with breastfeeding is the ultimate experience. She aspires to work with communities sharing her herbal education and experiences (http://www.herbaleducation.net/).  To help people see their intuitive (mammal) powers- just as Sophia has done for her with Hana's birth, its a SUPERPOWER!   Listen here: IG: linktree in bio FB: https://anchor.fm/bornwild/episodes/77--Deborahs-Birth-Stories---Trusting-Intuition-As-a-Mother-of-Advanced-Maternal-Age-e1qsvsr @sophiabirth @bayareahomebirth @ninabasker @huggasteele @familyfocusdoulacare @bornwildmidwifery Stay Wild

Many women are becoming pregnant later in life. Providers use the term “advanced maternal age” (AMA) to describe a pregnancy in a person greater than 35 years old. Dr. Julia Cormano explains how being AMA can impact your pregnancy and the steps you can take to optimize your health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38253]

Many women are becoming pregnant later in life. Providers use the term “advanced maternal age” (AMA) to describe a pregnancy in a person greater than 35 years old. Dr. Julia Cormano explains how being AMA can impact your pregnancy and the steps you can take to optimize your health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38253]

Having your pregnancy labeled as “high risk” can be frightening, but doesn't need to be. Dr. Julia Cormano explains common reasons a pregnancy could be considered "high risk," the types of care available, considerations for delivery and more. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38255]

Women's health expert and pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Marcy Crouch has the “Pelvic Floor” once again, along with motherhood wellness expert Alyson Hempsey, as she does a deep dive into all things AMA (Advanced Maternal Age).When a woman becomes pregnant after 35, she is considered to be of advanced maternal age. But, what exactly does that even mean? What are some of the increased risks associated with pregnancy and women over the age of 35. Does your prenatal care have to change, and if so, how? Marcy shares her own experience as a woman of advanced maternal age when she was pregnant at 35, and Alyson explains how the idea that “the clock is ticking” can affect a woman's mental health.Did you know that pregnant women over the age of 35 are considered “geriatric”? If you had a pregnancy after 35, we'd love to hear your experience! Our Sponsors and Affiliates:Shop Shine Cosmetics and save 10% off your order with the code NMLB.Check out Mixhers -All-natural remedies made by women for women to help with periods, libido, PMS, anxiousness, sleep, & more. Use code NMLB10 at checkout!SRC Health: Medical compression wear for every stage of a woman's journey. Use code NMLB at checkout for 10% off.Use code  NMLB20 for 20% off your order of Sound, a sparkling water for all of your senses!Need more support, Mama?- Use code "NMLB" for $5 off Alyson's SOULtime guide here- Sign up for access to Dr. Marcy's Birth Prep and Postpartum courses WE'RE DOING A GIVEAWAY!Steps to enter:1. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That's it!2. Listen to see if you have won.  ***One winner announced each month!***WHAT YOU GET IF YOU WIN1. Dr. Marcy's Postpartum and Delivery Prep Courses2. Alyson's e-book, "SOULtime: A Guide on Reclaiming Your Identity in MotherhoodSupport the show

When a woman becomes pregnant after 35, she is considered to be of advanced maternal age. But, what exactly does that mean? What are some of the increased risks associated with pregnancy and older women? Plus, does your prenatal care change and how?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie gets cancelled. Ed shares his sex life with Liz's grandparents. Shaeeda hacks her tounge off. Kim apologizes for milkshake gate.  90 Day Fiance Happily Ever After S7 Ep6 Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/TrashTalkPodcasts Instagram and Twitter @90daypodcast Traceycarnazzo.com Tracey Carnazzo @trixietuzzini Noelle Winters Herzog @noeygirl_ Bonus content at Patreon.com/TrashTalkPodcast betterhelp.com/fiance

On average, women in the US- including Black women- are having their first child at older ages. So why are we warned against having children at "advanced maternal age"? Should there be so much concern about having your children after 35? The term "geriatric pregnancy" can be alarming, but this episode will tell you some reassuring facts, and give you action steps to care for your health and fertility as an older mom.   Get the show notes at http://www.musingsofblackdoula.com/episodes/baby-after-35-advanced-maternal-age    In the DMV? Hire your own postpartum doula from DC Metro Maternity.   And anywhere in the US, sign up for our online course for Black women giving birth in the hospital here- https://dcmetromaternity.com/online-pregnancy-birth-postpartum-class-for-black-women/   Subscribe to Musings of a Black Doula on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher!

We are told being over the age of 35 is high risk! They call us geriatric and elderly. What does the evidence show us?  How do we mitigate those risks?  Come on in and dip your toe in the information pool. The water is lovely. 

In today's episode we are joined by Jenna McDonald from The Fertility Suite to discuss conceiving over 35 and answer the question: how relevant is advanced maternal age? We discuss the relevance of the age 35, testing including AMH and your mid-luteal progesterone, the three main factors of egg count, egg reserve, conception as 50/50, or getting your partner involved, and so much more. Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/391 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

Ep 42: In this episode, Tanya is sharing with you her birth story, how Aviella Noelle, her newborn daughter, came to be after miscarriages, struggles with PCOS, and more. Stay tuned til the end for some tips for expectant mama bosses on how to plan for your maternity leave.To join the High Ticket Offer Elixir go here: https://www.highticketelixir.com/map______________________About the host:Tanya Rivera-Falcone is a High Ticket Monetization Coach & Brand Expert, Speaker, and Author for passionate Massive Brand Bosses looking to create, market and sell high ticket programming using simple marketing strategies online.With over 18 years of experience in corporate sales and marketing, she has built a highly successful business activating self-esteem in women to become boldly confident, creating Brands with high-end, yet transformational services and high performance teams. The result is the creation of thought-leading voices to disrupt the marketplace while creating a massive impact on their communities. Tanya specifically specializes in personal branding, core messaging, client attraction, as well as high ticket offer creation and monetization strategies that include sales funnel implementation and automation.WATCH NEW MASTERCLASS TODAY: Discover how our M.A.P. to Millions Framework Generates Multiple 5 Figure Months Without Social Media Burnout, Working Less & Earning More!https://monetize.massivebrandconsulting.com/trainingApply to work with Tanya:https://www.highticketelixir.com/mapGet access to the High Ticket Messaging Elixir™️ for a limited time only:The High Ticket Messaging Elixir™️ is a mini-course and toolkit bundle that teaches you how to become the high ticket client magnet, & then collapses time helping you create faster, more resonant content, giving you all the resources you need to show up! Limited time for $37Follow Tanya on IG @tanyariverafalconeTo help Tanya promote this show and reach more people, just snap a screenshot of your device while listening to the episode and share it on IG stories - tag Tanya, @TanyaRiveraFalcone and use our hashtags, #massivebranding or #activateyourmassivebrandSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/massive-brand-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our last chat of Season 1 has us sitting down with the lovely and inspiring Camille Guaty-Kaye. While most of you may know her as a talented actor from many of your favorite TV shows and films , you'll meet a woman of perseverance, resiliency, and a heart full of love. I certainly made a new friend that I can't wait for you to meet. She candidly shares with us her challenging road to motherhood and how it ultimately led her and her husband to letting go of their dreams of a traditional path to baby and embracing egg donor conception.We talk about the importance of taking time to grief, to make space for the ups and downs while trying to conceive, but we also choose to laugh at some of the bumps along the way. Get your tissues ready and be prepared to laugh...a lot. You don't want to miss this one, my friends!

Heather shares what it was like pushing against routine induction for advanced maternal age during her plus size pregnancy and birth story.

SummaryThis week we're chatting with Kimberly DeVito Young.At 43, Kim is a wife & busy full time working mama, who is raising a young adult, two teenagers and special thanks to an IUD that didn't really do its job, an amazing 4 year old, that has completed her family.We talk about the unexpected but joyful addition to her family and the differences between her previous pregnancies. She shares the ins and outs of starting over again and the lessons she's learned along the years. Make sure you listen to the end to catch some great parenting tips & hacks for potty training and all those arts and crafts projects that you little one brings home!